People v. Buenaventura Baylon Alias "Tura"

Summary

This Supreme Court case involved the rape conviction of 78-year-old Buenaventura Baylon for sexually assaulting 12-year-old Sonia Aldas at a school premises in Victorias, Negros Occidental on March 8, 1978. The victim, who knew the accused as 'Lolo Tura' due to family connections, was lured to a secluded area under pretense of getting money, then forcibly raped despite her pleas and threats of death. Medical examination the next day revealed fresh hymenal laceration and tissue congestion. The Supreme Court affirmed the trial court's conviction and sentence of reclusion perpetua, rejecting appellant's claims of inconsistent testimony, lack of resistance, and insufficient evidence of penetration. The Court emphasized that entry of the labia constitutes rape and that moral damages were properly awarded. The decision reinforced that force in rape is relative to the parties' age, size, and relationship, and that positive identification prevails over alibi defense.